India Reopens Northern and Western Airports Following Ceasefire with Pakistan; Airlines Begin Gradual Resumption of Services
In the wake of a de-escalation in tensions between India and Pakistan, the Indian government has lifted the temporary closure of multiple airports in the northern and western parts of the country, paving the way for the return of regular civil flight operations.
The decision follows a ceasefire understanding reached between the two nations after a period of heightened conflict.
On Monday morning, India’s aviation authorities officially revoked a series of Notices to Airmen (NOTAMs) that had earlier grounded civil aviation at 32 airports across strategically sensitive regions.
These airports had been shut for civilian operations following a major military escalation with Pakistan last week. Initially, the closure was slated to remain in effect until 5:29 AM IST on May 15, but with tensions now easing, authorities have reopened the airspace and facilities ahead of schedule.
The Airports Authority of India (AAI) issued a public statement informing passengers:
“Attention Flyers: Reference the notice issued regarding the temporary closure of 32 airports for civil aircraft operations till 05:29 hrs of 15 May 2025. It is now informed that these airports are available for civil aircraft operations with immediate effect. Travellers are advised to check flight status directly with airlines and follow updates on official airline websites.”
The temporary shutdown of key airports had severely impacted civil aviation, resulting in the cancellation of over 300 flights daily, according to aviation industry estimates. IndiGo, India’s largest airline, alone had to cancel more than 160 flights per day due to the restricted access to affected airfields.
Background: Operation Sindoor and Escalation of Hostilities
The suspension of air operations stemmed from the launch of Operation Sindoor — a series of precision strikes by India on nine targets in Pakistan in the early hours of Wednesday, May 7. Initially, around 25 airports — many near the India-Pakistan border or co-located with Indian Air Force bases — were closed to prevent civilian flights from being exposed to risk.
However, with Pakistan retaliating through widespread drone and missile attacks targeting Indian military installations, India responded proportionately, and the closure period was extended and expanded to include more airports, eventually reaching a total of 32.
Affected Airports
The airports impacted by the closure included a mix of commercial and military bases:
Srinagar, Jammu, Leh, Amritsar, Chandigarh, Ambala, Ludhiana, Jodhpur, Bikaner, Jaisalmer, Uttarlai, Rajkot, Bhuj, Jamnagar, Dharamshala, Bathinda, Patiala, Pathankot, Shimla, Kishangarh, Hindon, Porbandar, Mundra, and Kandla, among others.
While some of these airports host regular commercial flights, many function primarily as defence airfields with limited civil operations. Over the last several days, civilian air traffic has been virtually nonexistent in regions north of Delhi and across Rajasthan and Gujarat, home to several sensitive border airports and key Air Force bases.
Airlines Respond, Begin Restoration of Services
Major Indian airlines welcomed the lifting of restrictions and have begun efforts to gradually restore normal flight operations, although no definitive schedule has been provided yet.
IndiGo issued a travel advisory saying:
“In line with the latest government directives, affected airports are now open for operations. We will progressively resume services on previously closed routes. While flights are expected to return soon, some delays and last-minute changes may still occur. We sincerely thank our passengers for their patience and cooperation.”
Air India, the Tata Group-owned national carrier, also confirmed its efforts to reestablish connectivity to affected destinations:
“Following the latest aviation authority notification, Air India is working to resume flights to and from Jammu, Srinagar, Leh, Jodhpur, Amritsar, Bhuj, Jamnagar, Chandigarh, and Rajkot. We appreciate our passengers’ understanding as we restore services at these airports.”
SpiceJet, a leading budget airline, echoed similar sentiments in its passenger advisory:
“We are pleased to inform you that airports previously closed due to the conflict are now operational. Our teams are actively working to resume flights as soon as possible. We thank you for your support and understanding during this challenging period.”
Passengers Advised to Stay Informed
As flight schedules are being updated in real time, passengers are advised to remain in touch with their respective airlines for the most accurate and up-to-date information on departures, arrivals, and potential delays.
The reopening of these airports marks a significant step toward restoring normalcy in India’s aviation sector and reflects a hopeful sign of stability following a period of intense cross-border military activity.
